News & Press https://nnlso.org/news/default.asp Fri, 5 Jun 2026 06:06:41 GMT Thu, 24 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT Copyright © 2025 National Network of Law School Officers The Role of Academic Support Under ABA Standard 314 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=706834 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=706834 What is the role of academic support educators under the new ABA Standard 314(b)? 

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]]> Thu, 24 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT A Four-Step Plan for Responding to the New ABA Standards https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=706835 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=706835 As most readers of this blog are aware, and as I have posted about previously, the ABA has enacted a series of new and revised standards on learning outcomes and assessment. These standards go into effect in August 2025, and site teams will expect to see progress toward compliance beginning in August 2026.

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]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT Best Practices in Developing and Assessing Learning Outcomes https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=706836 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=706836 The Need for Guidance

There has been a robust dialogue around learning outcomes in higher education for many years, but not so much in the realm of legal education. So, while newly adopted ABA Standards require law schools to develop learning outcomes at both the programmatic and individual course level, administrators and faculty members do not necessarily have extensive experience to draw on in pursuing this task.  

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]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT In-Progress Standards/Rules Revisions Dashboard https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705315 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705315 Timelines for In-Progress Revisions: ABA Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools
  • Standard 206: Access to Legal Education and the Profession (previously titled “Diversity and Inclusion”)
  • Standard 405: Tenure and Security of Position (previously titled “Professional Environment”); Definition (9): Full-Time Faculty Member
  • Experiential Learning Credits: Standards 303, 304, and 311
  • Standards Revisions Actively Under Consideration by the Standards Committee:
    • Various Standards: Allowing a Fully Online Law School to seek provisional and full ABA-Approval  
]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education extends Standard 206 suspension to 2026 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705323 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705323 Today the ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar voted during its Council meeting to extend the suspension of Standard 206 until August 31, 2026. During any period of suspension, the Council will not take any action based in whole or part on Standard 206, conduct any evaluation that includes an assessment of institutional compliance with Standard 206, or issue any guidance regarding compliance with this Standard while suspended.

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]]> Fri, 9 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT ABA council reiterates access to legal education standard is suspended https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705322 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705322 The ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, reiterated that Standard 206, the American Bar Association’s standard concerning access to legal education, has been suspended and is not being enforced.

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]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT The ABA rejects efforts to undermine the courts and the legal profession https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=697343 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=697343 Three weeks ago, the American Bar Association spoke to you about values that guide us. We called upon every lawyer to insist that the government adhere to four major principles of law that have guided our country for over 200 years: Defending Judges and Courts, Acknowledging the Role of the Courts, Adhering to the Rule of Law, and Respecting the Separation of Powers and the three co-equal branches of government with distinct duties and responsibilities. These principles have been bedrocks of American democracy. The ABA does not shrink from standing in support of each of them. Read more here...]]> Mon, 3 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education continues review of Standard 206 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705320 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705320 The Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar met both virtually and in person in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 21 to consider matters on its agenda, including recommendations, reports and other issues.

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]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT American Bar Association statement Re: Standard 206 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705319 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705319 The Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar is currently in the process of reviewing and amending Standard 206 to ensure that it complies with federal law, while still achieving the goal of ensuring access to legal education for all persons. During its February meeting, the Council reviewed the latest draft and considered potential changes to ensure compliance with the recent Executive Orders and the Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” letter dated February 14, 2025. The Council intends to submit this draft with revisions to the ABA House of Delegates in August, as previously planned, after which it anticipates the new standard will be in full force and effect.

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]]> Sat, 22 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT Revisions Related to Learning Outcomes (Standards 204, 301, 302, 314, 315, & 402) https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705324 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=705324 Revisions Related to Learning Outcomes (Standards 204, 301, 302, 314, 315, & 402)

Implementation Required by start of 2026-2027 Academic Year 

Standard 204. SELF STUDY

Before each site evaluation visit, the law school shall engage in a self-study process that assesses the quality and success of its program of legal education in meeting its mission and objectives and results in (1) a completed site evaluation questionnaire and (2) Standard 315 report explaining the law school’s evaluation of its programmatic and course learning outcomes, its programmatic assessment methods, and any changes the law school deems appropriate to improve the program.  

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]]> Fri, 7 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT Guidance Memo for Standard 208 now available https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=682918 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=682918 Guidance Memos (americanbar.org)]]> Wed, 25 Sep 2024 13:55:00 GMT Updates to 23-24 ABA Standards https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=667771 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=667771 Tue, 19 Mar 2024 14:53:00 GMT Distance Education Standards Revised https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=614993 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=614993 Wed, 24 Aug 2022 20:50:00 GMT Law School Admission Test Would be Optional Under ABA Proposal https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=607805 https://nnlso.org/news/news.asp?id=607805 Tue, 7 Jun 2022 18:01:00 GMT